Dominic's training program helped us turn our dog around from a disaster to one we constantly get compliments on. My dog had serious reactivity issues and could not get within even several blocks of another dog. After over a year trying to correct with a couple of other trainers and it only getting worse we called Citizen Canine. Nowadays, we can walk past dogs lunging and barking at her, even off leash. It takes dedication to your homework, but if my dog can do it, so can yours. Definitely worth setting up sessions with Dominic. read more

Dominic helped me with my German Shepherd rescue when we first adopted him a few years ago. Timber was mouthy and had broken my skin a few times. With Dominic's help, patience, and consistency Timber has become the most gentle giant. He sleeps with my kids, he is part of the family and trust has been built. read more

Citizen Canine - Pet Training Near Me

I have an 8 yr old English Bulldog who weighs about 70lbs. He always jumps up on people when he says hi. I did not think it was an issue until he was knocking over a friends child and then he knocked over another friends elderly mother. I thought that this could injure someone so a few months ago I started asking my friends if they knew a dog trainer. I was recommended to contact Dominic at Citizen Canine. I was told that he trains dogs who have problems and solves the issue kinda like the dog whisperer. So we talked on the phone and he said that he can stop my dog from jumping on people. We met at a local park and started the lesson. Little did I know that besides training my dog he was teaching me how to correct the bad behavior. I saw right from the start that his method was working so I signed up for more lessons. It has been about three months now and my dog has not jumped on anyone and the lessons have made him behave extremely well around other dogs too. He walks right next to me when we are walking and I don't need a leash. I will say you have to be dedicated to the lessons with Dominic and work on it on your own so that your dog responds to the commands. Dominic doesn't just train the dog he trains you. I think it was worth it and I highly recommend Citizen Canine. read more

Our one year old Mini GoldenDoodle was a master at taking off and roaming the neighborhood, not letting us catch her till she was ready to come home. It was very frustrating always having to have her on leash. Then we heard about Dominic. We finished a series of about a dozen weekly lessons with him, and today, we can take Pinot with us just about anywhere without a leash. She immediately (and happily!) comes when called, and will even consistently heel, on command, walking right along next to us. Funny thing was, Dominic seems to have such a good rapport with dogs, Pinot immediately understood him and did everything he asked of her, while most of the training involved teaching us how to gain the same control. Another positive--Dominic's training is not treat-based. Instead it involves giving your dog a lot of love when they do the right thing, which we liked a lot more. Like they say, a well-trained dog is a happy dog, and thanks to Dominic, that's made us very happy, too. read more

We had a 6 month old rat terrier who was 100% terrier. We now have an 8 month old rat terrier who can walk downtown Novato and Petaluma without a leash on him. He listens and obeys without me/my wife having to give him a million treats. He is still a baby and has tons of energy but he no longer runs to the door and jumps on everyone. He "waits" a good distance from the door (sitting) and allows people to enter before I release him to greet (politely) our guests. He sits, stays, heals, waits, and is focused on us instead of the countless distractions the world offers him. Dominic is probably his favorite person (outside of us it's debatable) on the planet. He is a miracle worker. read more

Citizen Canine - Pet Training Near Me

I called Citizen Canine, got only voicemail. Left a message which was never returned. Very disappointed. read more

I've been looking for the right training "system" for my mini Aussie and this is it. My ten-month-old pup likes food but likes people and dogs much more so the bait and lure approach like Sirius weren't right for him. Dominic (Citizen Canine's trainer/owner) uses the slightest corrections to help the dog learn but it's really all about challenging the dog's mind and rewarding with an abundance of praise, which my dog hardly needed because he felt so good about himself after an hour of Citizen Canine. Put the treats away and get your pup to Citizen Canine. This man, whose background is with exotics, knows animals, period, but especially canines. read more

Although my dog is still in training (because he is a work-in-progress), I felt compelled to leave my review for Dominic's training now. I cannot say enough or give enough praise for Dominic's no-nonsense, firm yet gentle approach to dog training. I had been bouncing around trying to find a good one-on-one trainer for my rescue dog. I adopted him at approximately 5 1/2 months old from the Marin Humane Society. He had displayed leash aggression and had not been socialized at all aside from his own litter-mates and other litters he lived with in an over-crowded, filthy, dark garage he lived in in Oakland. Having been rescued from a house fire and seized from the previous owners, my new dog was very fearful of the world in general. After gentle socializing off leash (which he seemed to be just fine and love to play) things were getting better and he was starting to relax and enjoy his new life. THEN, one day as I walked him back to the car from off leash play, someone had let their two crazy hyper German Shorthairs loose from the back of their truck, which set off a chain reaction. A nearby on-leash German Shepard (BIG ONE) got away from their owner and chased after those dogs. They were faster, so the Shepard spotted us and came racing over. My dog took this as an aggressive move and jumped out in front of me, fur up on end. Before I knew it, they were brawling! I reached down and pushed my dog out of the way. As I did that, I pivoted and the Shepard snapped at my boy through my legs, catching me badly on the calf. I fell down, both dogs were stunned, and someone came over and collected my dog and put him in my car. The Shepard finally went back to their owner, and I was left with a nice fat bite and in Urgent Care. My dog was left traumatized. I am amazed at how that one incident not only set my dog's aggression to other dogs backward, but made it way worse. Now, whether he is on or off leash, no strange dogs are allowed near me. So, that's when I knew it was time to enlist the help of a professional. And Dominic has been the PERFECT match for us. He listens to you and understands my dog's behavior issue wonderfully. After going through the regular set of Basic to Advanced Obedience training (if you do it with more than one dog/friend, the price becomes really affordable!), he has tailored a method moving forward to address this particular issue for us. My boy is a dog that loves people of all sizes... it is just dogs he does not know that are perceived as a threat. I am so thankful I found Dominic/Citizen Canine. The way my dog responds to him amazes me. I'm confident that with his guidance, we will iron this kink out to where we can walk by a strange dog without mine lunging or becoming defensive for no reason, and both of us can enjoy our walks and relaxing afternoons at a cafe without all the commotion. And leaving him home is not an option, and will not make this any better. He needs to be out in the world learning that it's okay to relax, and that not all dogs are a threat. I don't believe an overabundance of treats will do this... Dominic's got a more firm yet gentle and direct approach. It's how dogs think and what makes them tick. Because once you don't have a treat, you find the dog is like, "Whatever!" With Dominic, you can be sure that your voice is valuable, and that your dog does not ignore you. That's what he is all about. Good stuff. read more

Dominick is a very experienced dog trainer with great patience and a system of training which works with NO TREATS. Rufus, my eigth Boxer, was 8 months when he met Dominick, after successfully flunking two other trainers who used treats for a reward system. After several lessons, Dom agreed that Rufus was a stubborn boy, but also assured me that off leash walking down 4th St in Santa Rosa was still going to happen at 10 weeks. He did it! (I didn't think I could hold my breath that long as Rufus walked several blocks off leash on the side walk, between Dom and me, and no one was assaulted (or arrested). As with all trainings, repetition and consistent persistence are key for your dog, but Dom's ability to train us, the owners, is the more important task at which he excels. I have worked with several trainers over the years with my 8 Boxers, and Dom is the best by far! Rufus is going to be 3yo next week and he still remembers his lessons, altho his performance, as expected, is a function of how much repletion of the lesson information is continued. He will still heel nicely unless a deer appears, which is quite common in Rincon Valley this year They are irresistible to Rufus and he is off to the races if not on a leash. With more training, I'm confident that Dom could fix this but with leash laws where I live, it's not necessary. read more

Dominic helped us train our Jack Russell, Henry. Dominic's knowledge of dogs provided clear directions in teaching my husband and I how to work with our dog. He demonstrated great gentleness while showing proper command with Henry. Early training with Dominic can help you and your dog create a great relationship and bond. His knowledge can also help you avoid creating problems. All in all Henry has become a loving, obedient, friendly animal who loves other dogs and people. I can't recommend Dominic more. He also does it all without treats. read more

I purchased two one-hour visits thru Living Social and Dominic came to our house this past Saturday to help us with our two schnorkies and yorkie. But before his first visit, he spent 20 minutes with me on the phone understanding what the issues were with our dogs (house breaking, marking and barking at new visitors to name the big ones). Before he left our house, our 3 dogs had already learned NOT to bark when someone knocks at the door. I would not have believed it had I not experienced it myself. Dominic is amazing! I am planning on doing more training visits even after my Living Social coupon is used up. THANKS, DOMINIC! read more

After walking around downtown Petaluma for an hour with our 9 month old Springer Spaniel heeling beside us without a leash, I had to write a review. Dominic is the most professional dog trainer I have ever experienced. He uses a clear progression of lessons to ease a puppy or older dog into obedience. I can't praise him enough. I have used other well known Petaluma trainers with past dogs, but no one comes close to Dominic. read more

I purchased an AmazonLocal voucher for dog training. The offer was for two 1-hour in-home dog training sessions for $59, available to anyone living within a 45-mile radius of Petaluma. I am in Fairfield, and that is just about 40-45 miles away. I called and spoke with Dominic, the owner, and set up a training session. Dominic arrived, we worked on some issues with the dogs. Dominic was very pleasant and his training methods were effective. Because we were going on vacation, I told Dominic I would call him to reschedule the second session. A couple of weeks later, I called and left him a message, and he returned my call and we scheduled the next session. He told me he wanted me to purchase a particular training aid to use at our next session, which I did. The day of the 2nd session, Dominic did not show up. I thought it might have been due to a scheduling error or some unexpected event that prevented him from contacting me to cancel. I called and left him a message that we had an appointment and he didn't show, and that I hoped everything was okay, but please call me so we can reschedule. After about a week, I still had not received a call back from Dominic, so I called and left him a message again. Another week went by and no call back. I lodged a complaint with AmazonLocal. read more